[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE - SENATOR CHRISTINE MILNE - Petrol: Governmetn blind spot on public transport

[Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, 9 August 2006

Petrol: Government blind spot on public transport

The Australian Greens today called for the government to remove its
blind spot and make a major national investment in public transport to
help reduce transport costs as petrol prices continue to rise.

"The Greens are calling for the Council of Australian Governments to
begin working on redesigning Australian cities with a view to investing
in public transport to reduce dependence on private cars," Australian
Greens energy spokesperson Senator Christine Milne said today.

"Rising petrol prices have prompted a spate of calls for subsidies for
everything from petrol excise to gas conversion for private cars but not
the easiest, most obvious response - investing in public transport.

"Sydney and Melbourne cannot be global cities with the public transport
systems of regional towns.

"The GST should be removed from public transport as a start. But the
idea of subsidising public transport is still anathema to state and
federal governments. This is despite evidence that high petrol prices
have prompted more Australians to leave their cars at home in recent
months and opt for public transport.

"These petrol refugees face high fares, poor services or no services at
all. A major national investment in public transport is the simplest,
most effective way that governments can reduce commuting costs and
oil-proof Australia.  

"Improving public transport will have the added benefits of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, as emissions from transport are growing
substantially, and reducing air pollution.

 "The Greens support measures to promote conversion of vehicles to LPG
or natural gas but these sorts of subsidies are only interim measures
because oil is a finite resource and we need to reduce our dependence on
it."

Contact: Katrina Willis 03 6234 4566 or 0437 587 562


Katrina Willis
Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone 03 6234 4566
Fax 03 6234 2144
Mobile 0437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au